PERFIL CLÍNICO E EPIDEMIOLÓGICO DAS INTERNAÇÕES PEDIÁTRICAS DEVIDO A MENINGITE DO ESTADO DO MARANHÃO, 2015 e 2024

Meningitis is an inflammation that affects the membranes covering the brain, known as the meninges. In children, bacterial forms represent the most severe manifestations of the disease, associated with high mortality. Therefore, the objective is to analyze the clinical andepidemiological profile of meningitis in the state of Maranhão between 2015 and 2024. This was an epidemiological, documentary, quantitative, population-based study with a descriptive and retrospective design, targeting children aged between one and 14 years. The results revealed that 2023 had the highest number of cases, with 102 reports (16.2%). The adjusted linear trend line (y=0.0182x+62.8) has a slope of practically zero, demonstrating that the linear model explains less than 0.001%. The predominant profile was of children, especially in the age group under 1 year, with 241 cases (38.3%), followed by those aged 1 to 4 years, with 142 cases (22.5%), predominantly male cases with 365 cases (58%), who self-declared as brown, with 511 notifications (81.2%). The analysis of the evolution of cases shows that most patients were discharged from the hospital, with 456 cases (72.5%), although deaths due to meningitis remained present in all years, representing 127 cases (20.1%). Finally, regarding the diagnostic confirmation criteria, the clinical and chemocytological methods prevailed, with 286 (45.4%) and 220 (34.9%). Regarding sex, no statistically significant association was observed between the variable and the macroregion (p = 0.9546). In absolute numbers, however, the North macroregion concentrated the majority of notifications, both among males (n = 271/58%) and females (n = 200/42%), possibly reflecting the higher population density, greater installed health service capacity, or better reporting structure in this region. Regarding age group, a statistically significant association with the macroregion was observed (p = 0.0037). The North macroregion stands out again, with a significant predominance of cases in children under 1 year of age (n = 212/45%), followed by those aged 1 to 4 years (n = 95/20%). The study reveals an increase in meningitis cases in Maranhão, especially in children under 1 year of age, highlighting the need for improvements in disease prevention and diagnosis in the region.